TORRINGTON >> Mayor Elinor Carbone was the first one through the door. Outside, wielding their carts, the long line of thirty-odd shoppers awaited the opening of Michaels Arts and Crafts Sunday morning. Some had been there for as long as two hours before the 9:30 scheduled grand opening. After a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, the doors were opened.

It was announced in September of last year that Michaels might move into the 1030 Torringford Street property, which was most recently a Circuit City.

“I am thrilled,” store manager Andrea Ege said. “It’s been a long couple of weeks trying to get this store together but I’m thrilled that we’re open for the people of Torrington and all around to come and shop.”

The soft opening for the store was Friday. One day earlier, friends and family were allowed to check out the new shop. Ege said that all this week, there will be giveaways including gift baskets like the one that Carbone was handed after cutting the ribbon.

Joann Fabrics opened just a month ago in the nearby Torrington Plaza on South Main Street. Sue Galinski, of Torrington, said that neither of the two similar stores is likely to dominate the other.

“Well, Joann’s is more material. I think both stores are actually going to do good because this is more on the crafty side. Joann’s is more fabric,” Galinski said.

Carbone, who, ribbon-cutting duties aside, was visiting the store to buy a frame for her son’s college diploma, agreed with this sentiment.

“I think that each one of them has a niche, you know, that makes them different enough that there’s plenty of opportunities for both to be highly successful,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing both of them thrive and serve our community.”

Michaels is located at East Main and Torringford Streets in the shopping center with Walmart and Price Chopper.